BikeSavioursProposals
Intro: Who am I? What's my game?
This may seem like an overactive case of freshman fever, but it is something more. Retirement is not too far in the future for me, and I am not good at sitting idle. I intend to start a 501c3 with a charter around shifting automobile miles to bicycle miles. I want to develop a strong relationship with Bike Saviours; both to learn how a co-op works and so I can launch my org as a symbiotic partner of Bike Saviours.
My best way of learning is by doing. My best way to work toward my long-term goal is to enthusiastically help develop Bike Saviours.
For 2021-09-12 Meeting
Volunteer Social Media Survey
Proposal: Bike Saviours will enter into the monthly meeting minutes the following results of an informal social media survey.
I stopped at the shop briefly and surveyed 3 volunteers, 1 fan, and Shamus.
- Does not use social media: 1 of 5
- Fan of the BikeSaviours Instagram: 3 of 5
- Would use the Bike Saviours Subreddit: 4 of 5
Everyone uses email - even the person how does not use any social media.
Several people noted that Facebook has a good interface for group conversations, but that the culture is toxic.
Several people noted that Reddit seems good as a low-barrier option for Bike Saviours fans to socialize.
It seems like a win for the Subreddit so far, see next proposal.
Weekly Volunteer Engagement Email
Proposal: Bike Saviours will grant Bob Bushman access to the volunteers email list, which he will use for a once-weekly email on volunteer engagement.
This email will include topics like:
- Recognition of the positive work our volunteers do for the cycling community.
- Upcoming projects or events we would like help with.
- Upcoming shop schedule time that is understaffed.
- Call to action for volunteer engagement outside the shop (social media, group rides, community outreach, etc).
Bob B will develop a template and provide a preview email to Bike Saviours leadership two days before each send.
Bob B will work with another person as the backup (possibly Will, who has mentioned an interest in helping with Bike Saviours social media), in case Bob dies in a tragic chainsaw juggling accident.
Bike Saviours Subreddit
Proposal: Bike Saviours will recognize https://old.reddit.com/r/BikeSaviours as an official social media outlet for Bike Saviours.
Bob Bushman is the current administrator and moderator, and will pass the baton or add others according Bike Saviours' leadership requests.
Administrator and moderator rules and practices are and will be at the discretion of Bike Saviours leadership.
Bike Saviours will post a link to the Bike Saviours subreddit on the front page of the Bike Saviours site.
Update Bike Saviours Map
Proposal: The map showing the location of Bike Saviours on the Bike Saviours website will be updated to show the current location to the south of Tempe Marketplace.
Monthly Bike Fair
Proposal: Bike Saviours will put on a monthly bike fair, on a Sunday, starting in early to mid October.
Bob Bushman will spearhead the effort, as outlined here: Bike_Fair
The approach will be iterative, with the first version in October being a Minimum Viable Product, and subsequent events being adjusted in size and focal areas according to patron feedback.
The event scope will be scaled with the development of volunteer commitment, to keep the scale of the event aligned with the number of on-site personnel.
Commitment to a date, including scheduling of third party resources, will remain on hold until we have sufficient volunteer commitment to ensure at least a minimum viable product.
Advanced Volunteers
Proposal: Bike Saviours will develop the notion of "Advanced Volunteers": Volunteers who are sufficiently committed and reliable that they can provide the necessary support for Shamus and Nicole, so that they both don't have to be there during every open hour.
Bike Saviours Volunteer Bling
Proposal: Bob Bushman will survey volunteers for their level of interest in various types of volunteer bling, such as T-Shirts, bike bottles, round buttons / pins, license plate brackets, bumper stickers, etc.
Assuming favorable response and good guidance on what type of bling is most well received, Bob will make a subsequent proposal for purchase of schwag.
The intent is that increased volunteer activity will enable things like Bike Fair and Saturday Shopping. Volunteer schwag will be funded from the net proceeds of these expansionary events.
"Virtue Signalling" has a negative connotation, but I think it is good and just to fly a flag and take pride in pro-social behavior like volunteering for your local bicycle co-op.
For 2021-10-03 Meeting
Saturday Sales Day
Proposal: Contingent on the success of the Advanced Volunteers proposal, Bike Saviours will explore the possibility of adding a Saturday sales day.
This depends heavily on whether either Nicole or Shamus are available on Saturday and whether the Advanced Volunteers proposal develops sufficient volunteer support to ensure Bike Saviours can consistently be open on Saturday.
Developing customer trust strongly suggests having a fairly regular schedule of hours, even while Bike Saviours is by-appointment. As such, we should make sure that we have a solid slate of Advanced Volunteers and enthusiastic buy-in from Nicole or Shamus before attempting Saturday Sales Day.